Orlando City vs. NYCFC game ends in draw 1-1

Posted Apr 27 2019 03:45PM EDT

Updated Apr 28 2019 09:04AM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - A surging New York City FC side was forced to split the points when hosting Orlando City SC on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, as goals on either side of halftime determined a 1-1 draw.

The scoring got underway in the 18th minute, as Nani capitalized on a wayward clearance from NYCFC center back Maxime Chanot. It was the Orlando Designated Player’s fifth goal in his last four games, continuing his smooth transition to MLS.

Chances then came clear as day for both teams — Orlando forward Tesho Akindele even thought he made it 2-0 until a Video Review decision deemed otherwise — and home side next found net. That moment arrived in the 51st minute, as Heber cleaned up the rebound of a Maxi Moralez shot which Brian Rowe parried onto his near post.

As both clubs searched for a winner, Orlando brought on Sacha Kljestan and Dom Dwyer, while NYCFC turned to Alexandru Mitrita and Valentin Castellanos. The quest for three points, however, proved fruitless.

Each side was surely left ruing missed chances, too. Most notably, NYCFC winger Ismael Tajouri-Shradi couldn’t cushion home a first-half volley from 30 yards past an onrushing Rowe, while Dwyer missed an open header from four yards out in the second half.